Global Journal of Management Studies and Researches, 1(4) 2014, Pages: 186-201 Academic Journals Global Journal of Management Studies and Researches www.academicjournalscenter.org ISSN 2345-6086 Competitive Tendering, an Effective Tool in Ensuring Value for Money in Public Sector Procurement: A Case Study at “Ahanta West District Assembly” A District in the Western Part of Ghana David Ackah 1 , Makafui R. Agboyi 2 , Lydia Adu – Gyamfi 2 , Patrick Enu *3 1 PhD, Department of Business & Economics, Atlantic International University – AIU, Hawaii, Honolulu, U.S.A 2 MSc Supply Chain Management, Faculty of Engineering & Computing, Conventry University, United Kingdom 3 Lecturer, Economics Department, Faculty of Social Studies, Methodist University College Ghana * Corresponding Author: E-mail: Penu@mucg.edu.gh ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Competitive Tendering Value for Money Purposive Sampling This research report was carried out on the topic, “competitive tendering as an effective tool in ensuring value for money in public sector procurement’’. The main objective for this study was to examine how competitive tendering could be used as an effective tool to achieve value for money in public sector procurement at the Ahanta West District Assembly. The researcher administered twenty (20) questionnaires to some selected departments in the organization, specifically the procurement unit, the stores department, the accounting department and then the engineering department. The researcher used purposive sampling as a technique to gather ample information for this work. By purposive sampling, the researcher targeted those departments within the organization whose daily activities have direct bearing on procurement. Information gathered were analyzed critically and presented in the form of tables which is readily understandable. It was found out from the analyses that the Ahanta West District Assembly uses the competitive tendering methods in awarding most of their contracts thereby procuring goods, works and services at affordable and competitive prices. However the major problem identified was that, the processes involved are seen to be complex more especially for some contractors and those employees who have little knowledge in procurement when it comes to works and also the problem of political interference .The researcher finally recommended that series of workshops and seminars should be organized for both procurement officers especially new ones who have little knowledge in practical procurement when it comes to works and potential contractors so that they will have more insight into what goes into the preparations or processing of tender documents and lastly the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) should institute measures to monitor the adherence to the public procurement Act 663 in all public institutions. © 2014 Global Journal of Management Studies and Researches. All rights reserved for Academic Journals Center. INTRODUCTION Ensuring value for money is one of the ultimate aims/objectives of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) as well as all public sector organizations since there is definitely going to be accountability. As a result of this Carpineti et al (2006) lamented on the fact that with efficient procurement practices, both the public and the private sectors play a key role in modern economies as they ensure reduction of wasteful activities. Achieving such efficacy is an ambitious task as procurement faces numerous challenges, especially due to the work structure, the legal framework and the political environment procurers’ face. Indeed in recent years public and even private procurement players have set up several initiatives and networks aimed at sharing best procurement practices. Some examples may include the International Federation of Purchasing and Materials Management (IFPMM), the International Purchasing and Supply Education and Research Association (IPSERA), the Public Procurement Network (PPN), and the EU Public Procurement Learning lab (EU Lab, 2003-2005) (Carpineti et al ,2006) as well as that of the